03.dec.06
The Star Ledger (NJ)
Jonathan Casiano and Nyier Abdou
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-5/1165129713175630.xml&coll=1
A serious E. coli outbreak in central New Jersey has, according to this story, led to 11 confirmed cases and at least six suspected cases over the past two weeks.
Middlesex County Director of Health David Papi was cited as saying the victims, from towns in Middlesex, Somerset and Monmouth counties, are primarily children, though two adults also have been infected.
In the two most serious cases, the victims have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS, a serious condition that can cause permanent kidney damage. Those victims, along with four others, remained hospitalized last night, Papi said, who added, "This is a significant outbreak of a serious disease, and a significant amount of people are ill."
The story says that investigators have yet to determine the source of the outbreak, though a Taco Bell restaurant on Stelton Road in South Plainfield is suspected. Nine of the 11 confirmed victims ate at the Taco Bell, and on Thursday the fast food restaurant agreed to voluntarily shut down until the source is identified, Papi said.
An inspection of the restaurant last week did not reveal any significant health code violations, Papi said, but investigators are still waiting on the results of stool tests run on 21 Taco Bell employees.
Health officials were also awaiting test results on the six suspected cases, two of which were reported just yesterday. The first confirmed case was reported on Nov. 17, Papi said. Since then, cases have been confirmed in Edison, Woodbridge, Atlantic Highlands, Franklin Township, Piscataway, New Brunswick and Monroe Township.
The oldest victim so far is 23, while the youngest is just a year old. The victims have been treated at John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Edison, Saint Peter's University Hospital in New Brunswick and Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, Papi said.
Papi said initial food samples sent from the South Plainfield Taco Bell to the state Department of Health have tested negative for E. coli, though investigators are still assembling a list of common foods eaten by several victims. Two other eateries, a local diner and another Taco Bell, also have been inspected but remain open with no evidence of contamination, Papi said.